Garden on the “Hill”

London practice “Architects of Invention” was approached by Chinese private equity fund PGC Capital to develop the project “Garden Hill” for the city of Birmingham. The design concept – ‘Garden Hill’ – is inspired by The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: an oasis-like residence for Birmingham’s growing, multicultural, student population.

The two dramatic 25-storey staggered towers, hung with gardens at every level, give all occupants and visitors access to private and shared terraces and a spacious rooftop garden. The entire block is made of CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) as an exercise in highly sustainable construction. The project aims to capitalize on the UK’s increasingly affordable renewable energy sources including wind and solar power, which will be responsible for underfloor space heating and thermal hot water supplies.

The 7500 m2 site is located in Digbeth, ten minutes walking distance from the City Centre. The renowned Custard Factory scheme sits nearby, home to a number of media companies, artists and small creative enterprises. The proposal suggests a new model for live / work / play, where the units are small, but there are large shared facilities for communal living and working, including music recording studios and small rental units for startups.